Port Discovery’s Learning and Visitor Experience Department’s mission is to engage all of our visitors, both adults and children, throughout the museum’s exhibits and play spaces (floor) in innovative, play-based educational experiences and programs. This includes informal interactions, as well as pop-up programs and more structured activities and workshops throughout exhibits and play spaces.

The Visitor Experience Assistant (VA) is primarily responsible for performing an essential role in the museum that involves helping to maintain a safe, welcoming, and engaging museum environment. This position maintains positive and prepared play environments within our exhibits and play spaces by cleaning, tidying and restocking areas. VA’s also engage our visitors by supporting playful learning and discovery through meaningful interactions with children and adults.

VA’s will receive scaffolding and support in performing their role. VA’s may be asked, on an as-needed basis, to support learning and visitor experiences including public programs, group programs, At Play programs, Birthday Parties, Port to Ports, and Scout Overnight Adventures (up to 10 pm).

Hours are flexible and can vary based on your availability. The museum’s hours vary throughout the year. We are currently open to the public 5 days a week and will be open 7 days a week during the summer months. VA’s must be available to work a regular schedule of 3-4 days per week, including weekends and holidays, and may be requested to work evening programs as needed. We can offer 10 to 29 weekly hours.

This is an entry level and part-time position!! Starting pay for this position is $15.50 per hour.

Port Discovery is seeking individuals who are:

• Energetic, enthusiastic, creative, dependable and flexible.
• Passionate about play and making a difference in children’s lives and the community.
• Comfortable engaging with parents and children of multiple age groups.
• Calm under pressure and have excellent communication skills.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Ensure exhibits are ready and prepared for visitor use.
• Maintain a safe and engaging environment.
• Monitor exhibits and public spaces to identify and address safety concerns, including hazardous conditions and suspicious or unsafe visitor behavior. Communicate effectively with visitors to address concerns.
• Perform exhibit and manipulative cleaning and sanitation rotations.
• Provide superior customer service by answering questions and supporting visitors based on comprehensive knowledge of museum exhibits, play spaces, programs and initiatives, procedures and rules.
• Engage and interact with visitors in alignment with museum training, mentoring, and modeling guidance, as well as our PLAY Framework, Simple Interactions, and other frameworks.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma required.
• College degree in process in Visual / Fine Arts, Theater, Education, or related field a plus.
• One-year experience working or volunteering with children in an educational, customer service, arts, recreational or theatrical setting required.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with children and adults in a welcoming, friendly, outgoing, and professional manner.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and present information effectively to museum guests, especially in a group setting.
• Ability to work a flexible, variable schedule, including some holidays, evenings and weekends.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Must be 18 years of age and able to pass a criminal background check.

Benefits:

Port Discovery provides you with the opportunity to make a difference in the community and in the lives of children. Additional benefits include:

• Convenient location next to a subway stop, or we offer free parking.
• Earned sick time and matched retirement savings.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

Must be able to meet physical demands of job to include walking, standing, climbing, bending, kneeling and lifting / moving objects up to 25 pounds. Largest amount of time is spent standing, walking, and movement between different areas of the museum throughout the work shift, entailing about 90% to 100% of the time being on the feet. Must not be afraid of heights or at least comfortable with 30-to-60-minute shifts when working in the Cloud structure. Work is performed indoors, and the noise level is usually moderate to high. Must be comfortable working amongst small groups of children and caregivers.

We will also provide you with the memorable experience of being part of a world-class institution, the ability for you to be a key ingredient in our creative and informal programming, and the opportunity to experience our unique job-related training. Bring us your enthusiasm and passion!

To learn more about Port Discovery Children’s Museum, visit https://www.portdiscovery.org/. Port Discovery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.